Islanders 2022 offseason trade target list

It's a retool not a rebuild. The New York Islanders approach to the offseason is to find the right key pieces to unlock the true potential of this lineup. To make a third Stanley Cup run in four years, the Islanders need to bring in a few pieces.

They may not use the trade market to address all of their needs, but they'll certainly use that market to address at least one. So here's a ranking of the names out there that should interest the Islanders.

New York Islanders 2022 offseason trade target list

1. Alex DeBrincat (RW) | Chicago Blackhawks

He can score. A lot. Since he entered the league in 2017-18, only seven players have more goals in the NHL than DeBrincat. The Blackhawks winger is elite when it comes to popping pucks in the net. At both 5on5 (66% of his goals) and on the power play (33% of his goals).

And at 24 he's just entering his peak as a winger in the NHL. And he's already elite. It's easy to put him at no.1 on this list. It's wild to think Chicago is dangling him in the trade market but if they're going to put him out there, the Isles have to try and bring him in.

2. Kevin Fiala (LW) | Minnesota Wild

A point-per-game winger that spent the overwhelming majority of his season playing with third-line players. Imagine what this guy could do playing on the top line every night with someone like Mathew Barzal? Look out.

The Wild can't afford to keep him, and everyone knows it. He would certainly cost less than DeBrincat, but he'd be an excellent consolation prize for the Islanders if they can't get the Blackhawks winger.

3. Vince Dunn (LHD) | Seattle Kraken

The Isles should find a replacement for Devon Toews and Nick Leddy that departed in 2019 and 2020. Vince Dunn is a name that's been on Islanders fans' lips for a few years now. For good reason, the 26-year-old blueliner would fill that need perfectly.

Now, I know I've said the Isles no.1 priority this offseason is getting a D-man. So why don't I have Dunn at the top?

It's because I feel the Islanders will get a D-man this offseason. They've got a number of options they can choose from. I'm also not entirely convinced they have to get an offensive defenseman, they could just as easily get a defensive defenseman and be fine. So that's why Dunn is third.

He fills a gap and I like the player. But you can find someone else if he can't be hand. DeBrincat and Fiala are unlike anyone that's currently available on the trade market.

4. Oliver Kylington (LHD) | Calgary Flames

We're all well versed in the Flames salary cap issues. They have too many big-money players to re-sign and only a few moves they can make to shed enough cap space. One of those big-money guys that might shake free could be Oliver Kylington.

The two-way defender would be ideal for the Islanders second pair with Noah Dobson.

5. Jacob Chychrun (LHD) | Arizona Coyotes

Some of you might have Chychrun higher up the list. And that's fine. I get that Chychrun scores a lot and that Lou Lamoriello specifically said he's looking to get more offense from the defense. But how much is it going to cost for Chychrun vs. some of these other options? That's why I have Chychrun at five.

6. Tyson Barrie | Edmonton Oilers

I understand his defensive game isn't great, but his offensive game is, specifically on the power play. That would be ideal for the Islanders. Not perfect, but if you pard Barrie with Pulock and Dobson with Pelech, that's a pretty solid top-four.